It seems like Audi’s original Q5 has been with us forever but soon a successor will arrive.

We’ve been spying prototypes for more than a year and on Wednesday Audi finally confirmed a debut for its new Q5 on September 29 at the 2016 Paris auto show.

The market launch is likely to take place around spring 2017, meaning we should see the vehicle arrive as a 2018 model.

Judging by our spy shots, the new Q5 will feature similar proportions to the outgoing model. There are clear influences from the latest Q7 in the design and those taillights look similar to the units on the latest A4.

2018 Audi Q5 spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

2018 Audi Q5 spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The new Q5 is based on the SUV-version of Audi’s latest MLB platform and for North American markets will be sourced from a plant in Mexico.

The base powertrain for the United States will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 that matches the 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque the engine delivers in the latest A4. A diesel option is looking unlikely given the Volkswagen Group's ongoing diesel woes but a plug-in hybrid option at some point is a strong possibility.

We’re expecting sporty SQ5 and RS Q5 models, too.

Stay tuned for the debut at next week’s Paris auto show. In the meantime, learn about some of the other vehicles appearing at the French event by visiting our dedicated hub.